ceremony participants move into position (except musical unit). 5 minutes before
ceremony starts. NARRATOR. "Ladies and Gentlemen. The ceremony will start ...
MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY BALL CEREMONY Who
Events
Command
10 minutes before ceremony starts NARRATOR "Ladies and Gentlemen. The ceremony will start in 10 minutes. Please go to your tables." At this time all ceremony participants move into position (except musical unit). 5 minutes before ceremony starts NARRATOR
"Ladies and Gentlemen. The ceremony will start in 5 minutes. Please take your seats." Band takes position.
NARRATOR
"Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to the ____________ 2__th Marine Corps birthday Celebration. A message from the Commandant of the Marine Corps."
NARRATOR
(After reading the Commandant's message or the video tape has finished) "Ladies and Gentlemen, will you please rise as Chaplain ____________ leads us in prayer." START TIME SOUND ATTENTION
ADJUTANT
Band sounds "Attention." SOUND ADJUTANTS CALL
ADJUTANT
Band sounds "Adjutants Call" FORWARD, MARCH
COT
First two escorts step off as band starts to play. Eight counts later, next two escorts step off and so forth. When last escorts have reached position, band stops. Guest of Honor and Senior Marine (i.e. Sergeant Major for Staff NCO Ball) enter between line of escorts, proceed halfway down line and halt. PRESENT, ARMS
COT
All hands Present Arms. Band plays appropriate Ruffles and Flourishes. Guest of Honor and senior Marine proceed to head of Escort Line (without music) and reverse. ORDER, ARMS
COT
All hands Order Arms. MARCH ON THE COLORS
COT
Band sounds "Attention." Color guard enters, halfway down Line of Escorts and Halts.
COT
PRESENT, ARMS All hands Present Arms while band plays National Anthem.
COT
ORDER, ARMS All hands Order Arms (except Color Guard)
COT
POST THE COLORS
SENIOR COLOR BEARER Color Guard reverses, marches to end of Escorts, reverses, come to order arms and extends.
REVERSE, MARCH
COT
FORWARD, MARCH Band sounds Attention and plays slow, Marines Hymn while cake is brought in through line of Escorts, followed by Oldest and Youngest Marines and Adjutant move to head of cake cart. Adjutant stops behind cake cart and about faces. Music stops.
SENIOR CAKE ESCORT Cake Escort extends. (3 left or right steps, halt, and face inboard towards cake cart). NARRATOR
"Ladies and Gentlemen.
EXTEND, MARCH
Please be seated."
COT
PARADE, REST
ADJUTANT
Reads General Lejeune's Message.
NARRATOR
Introduces Head Table, and reads Guest of Honor's biography.
NARRATOR
"Ladies and Gentlemen. It gives me great pleasure to introduce our Guest of Honor, _________." Steps back from microphone.
COT
DETAIL, ATTENTION Oldest and Youngest Marine come forward.
SENIOR CAKE ESCORT Steps forward, takes sword from the cake cart, and passes it over his/her left forearm, grip forward, to the senior Marine. NARRATOR AND BAND
First piece of cake to Guest of Honor. Second piece to Oldest Marines, third piece to Youngest Marine. (See Cake Cutting info). The Oldest and Youngest Marine moves between cake and the Adjutant.
SENIOR CAKE ESCORT Cake escort march back to position and face about.
CLOSE, MARCH
ADJUTANT
FORWARD, MARCH Cake escorts, Oldest, Youngest Marine and Adjutant leave.
COT
RETIRE THE COLORS
SENIOR COLOR BEARER
CLOSE, MARCH; CARRY, COLORS; FORWARD, MARCH
COT
PRESENT, ARMS (Cot gives command as soon as Color Guard halts midway through Escort Line.) Sword detail holds salute until Guest of Honor and senior Marine leave.
COT
ORDER, ARMS Individual Escorts Carry Arms, take 3 steps forward, halt, face and leave in steps of twos. When last Escort is out, Band stops.
NARRATOR "Ladies and Gentlemen, this concludes our ceremony. Enjoy the Ball. Happy Birthday Marines." Narrator leaves.
